1.0 Policy Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define the academic requirements and established timeframes required for the conferral of the Doctor of Medicine degree.
2.0 To Whom the Policy Applies
This policy applies to faculty, staff, and students of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (the “Medical School”).
3.0 Policy Statement
3.1 Graduation Requirements
The Doctor of Medicine degree is conferred only on candidates who satisfactorily complete all of the following requirements:
- Complete eight semesters as a matriculated medical student at the Medical School and pay eight semesters of full-time tuition and fees.
- Enroll full time, unless on approved time away (e.g., Academic Scholars Program (ASP) or Leave of Absence (LOA)) from the Medical School.
- Achieve a Satisfactory grade in each required course, clerkship, sub-internship or elective in the curriculum by the last day of Spring term to be cleared for graduation in May. Alternate timelines apply for students who have satisfactorily fulfilled all curricular elements but have outstanding degree requirements (e.g., US Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE)) and have been approved for an off-cycle degree conferral.
- Pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
- By the time of graduation, demonstrate proficiency in all Competencies – inclusive of sub-Competencies – which serve as the Medical School’s medical education program objectives.
- Pass the summative End of Clerkship Phase Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) which is taken at the end of the clerkship phase (Year 3).
- Comply with the approved degree completion timeframe.
3.2 Timeframe for Degree Completion
A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine must complete all the requirements for that degree within six years of matriculation to the Medical School (eight years for MD/PhD candidates). The maximum period of six years (or eight years for MD/PhD candidates) includes time spent on an approved ASP or LOA status.
Students may request an exception to this requirement by writing to the Medical Committee on Academic Standing and Professionalism (MCASP), which is responsible for reviewing and approving or denying exceptions to the time limit for course and degree completion.
3.3 Approval of Graduation Candidates
The MCASP may grant a conditional recommendation for graduation provided the student satisfies all outstanding requirements by the scheduled graduation date.
The MCASP shall recommend candidates for graduation who have fulfilled all academic requirements to Brown University for formal approval of graduation candidates; however, if the Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences reverses an MCASP dismissal through the appeals process, the Dean—and not the MCASP—assumes the authority to recommend that student for graduation.
4.0 Definitions
For the purpose of this policy, the terms below have the following definitions:
- Academic Scholars Program (ASP):
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A program in which students take a leave of absence from studies to pursue a scholarly research project.
- Leave of Absence (LOA):
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A period of temporary non-enrollment for medical students for no less than one semester and up to one year.
- Medical Committee on Academic Standing and Professionalism (MCASP):
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A committee of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University that is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the academic performance and professional behavior of all students in the medical school, and determines, with the input of other medical school committees or departments, promotion status and advancement of medical students.
- Medical School Competencies:
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The core competencies – from such domains as knowledge, skills, and behaviors -- which the Medical School has determined are essential for student success and to ensure graduates are competent, residency-ready physicians (e.g., medical knowledge, professionalism, communication skills). (Competencies may also be referred to as “medical education program objectives” by the wider medical education community.)
- Satisfactory:
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Grade determination that indicates the student has completed all course requirements at the expected level of performance.
- US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE):
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A three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States.
5.0 Responsibilities
All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.
MCASP: Ensure graduates meet all requirements for graduation and approve the candidates for medical school graduation.
Office of Medical Education: Ensure all required coursework, clinical experience, assessments, and remediations are satisfactorily completed.
Office of Records and Registration: Keep accurate and current student records to ensure students meet graduation requirements.
6.0 Consequences for Violating this Policy
Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures.
7.0 Related Information
Brown University is a community in which individuals are encouraged to share concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).
The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.
7.1 Related Policies
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7.2 Related Procedures
7.3 Related Forms
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7.4 Frequently Asked Questions
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7.5 Other Related Information
- Relates to accreditation Standard 9, Element 9 mandated by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), accrediting body for U.S. medical education programs.
- Relates to accreditation Standard 10, Element 3 mandated by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), accrediting body for U.S. medical education programs.
Policy Owner and Contact(s)
Policy Owner: Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences
Policy Approved by: Provost
Policy History
Policy Issue Date:
Policy Effective Date:
Policy Update/Review Summary:
Centralized various existing requirements into a singular policy to eliminate redundancy, ensure clarity, and meet University compliance mandates.
Previous policy version(s) superseded by this policy:
- Student Advancement and Appeal Process (in part) (former Medical School Policy No. 09-09.01), Effective Date: July 1, 2019.
- Policies Relating to Medical Student Selection, Assignment, and Progress (in part) (former Medical School Policy No. 10-03, 3.1.2), Effective Date: July 1, 2019.